Sacred Goa

दुःखं हन्तुं सुखं प्राप्तुं ते भ्रमन्ति मुधाम्बरे।

Best yatra

Sacred Goa

Experience the Heartbeat of Rajasthan’s Desert Heritage

  • 3rd Oct – 7th Oct 2025
  • 4 Days 4 Nights
  • Goa
  • 32,000
  • 32,000
  • 3rd Oct – 7th Oct 2025
  • 4 Days 4 Nights
  • Goa
  • 32,000
  • 32,000
  • USD 499
  • GBP 399

Information

Bṛhat Anveṣī Affiliates Goa takes us to a place where mountains and the ocean meet. Goa offers a lot in both nature and culture. Full of rivers, forests and mountains, Goa means green all around, with moss-covered sidewalks, overhanging creepers on the walls, and the palpable feeling of sparse population. And great temples! Very few know Goa for its temples, but it has some of the greatest temple ecosystems of Bhāratavarṣa. Under Portuguese rule Goa suffered from great destruction of its temples, culture and heritage.
Almost every single temple on the coast was destroyed. But the Goans shifted entire kṣetras inside, in safer parts of Goa like Ponda, recreating the sacred temple ecosystems. Goa is the story of the reclamation and rebuilding of our great heritage.

Bṛhat Anveṣī Affiliates

Goa chapter will lead you through the charm of small Goan towns, lush green countryside, fast flowing rivers, jungle trails, mist-covered mountains, quiet highways, and coconut-lined bylanes to some of the most unique temples in Bhāratavarṣa, and it will make you travel through the history and culture of Bhāratavarṣa in what is perhaps one of the greatest stories of cultural reclamation.
  • 14 significant temples and sites of Goa and authentic local cuisine
  • Story of Hindu courage, revival and assimilation
  • A visit to a Saraswat Brahmin traditional house
  • Local expert of Goan heritage and culture, the renowned historian and archaeologist - Sawani Shetye

Yatra Gallery

Yatra Itinerary

We arrive at the hotel in Ponda and gather by nightfall.

1. Shri Nagueshi Maharudra Temple, Ponda

2. Shri Shanta Durga Temple, Kavale

3. Shri Ramnathi Sansthan, Ponda

4. Shri Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol

 

Visit to a Saraswat Brahmin traditional house and interaction with the owners – to learn about the lifestyle, rituals, customs, architecture and culture of ancient communities of Goa.

5. Tambdi Surla Temple

6. Haravale Caves, Rudreshwar Temple and Haravalem waterfalls

7. Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple, Narve

8. Devaki Krishna Temple, Mashel

9. Ruins of an excavated Śiva temple, Chandor

10. Visit a catholic house (Roman Catholic Kshatriya)

11. Chieftain’s memorial, Cuncolim

12. Shantadurga Kunkalkarin Temple, Fatorpa

13. Shri Lakshinarasimha Temple, Veling

14. Mangesh Devasthan, Mangeshi

Register Now
  • Yatra Marg Darshak - Sawani Shetye
Sawani Shetye - Archaeologist

Sawani Shetye Malik is an archaeologist by education with a specialisation in Ancient Indian History and culture. She has pursued her Masters's Degree from Deccan College, Pune. She is currently pursuing her PhD in History from Goa University. Sawani has presented thorough research on the Kaavi art of Goa and Karnataka. Sawani has expertise in Ancient Indian Temple Architecture and iconography.

Sawani is passionate about India, the land and her people and is keen on writing the story right with due importance to India’s civilisational ethos and narratives. To help change Goa’s image as limited to beaches and booze and reveal its true story to natives as well as tourists, Sawani made use of her academic background and launched heritage tours to explore the real Goa through its temples, archaeological remains and local cultural experiences such as festivals and folk performance.

Youtube

Temples

Temples in Goa

Shri Nagueshi Maharudra Temple, Ponda

The Lord Nāgueśi Shrine of Bandode gloriously remains standing in its original spot, unlike other Hindu temples of Goa that came under the “Velha Conquistas” or “new conquests” areas of the Portuguese.
The ancient tāli/Kalyaṇi (temple tank) of this temple is highly sophisticated, effectively channeling water continuously from a natural stream passing from west to east through valves under the temple grounds. This temple houses the deity in his ‘Svayambhu’ form.

Shri Shanta Durga Temple, Kavale

Accompanied by Viṣṇu and Śiva, Devī Durgā resides in this temple in her calm, meditative form. For successfully meditating in a fierce war that broke out between the two, the goddess here is worshipped as “śāntādurgā” – bringer of peace.
The original site of the worship of the Devī was in Keloshi, from where she was migrated to Kavalem, Ponda, which is her present abode. Here, the temple has been erected somewhere between 1713 AD to 1738 AD.

Shri Ramnathi Sansthan, Ponda

This temple, a vibrant institution that is 435 years old and located at the centre of Ponda, houses Lord Śiva, worshipped as Śrī Rāmanātha. The deity had to be smuggled away to his present abode to escape violation by the Portuguese.
Besides Lord Rāmanātha, the temple also houses Śrī Laxmi-Nārāyaṇa, Śrī Kāmākśi, Śrī Sidhanātha.

Shri Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol

Mahālasā Nārāyaṇī Temple, dedicated to the Mohinī avatār of Śrī Viṣṇu. Here, the god has manifested in his ‘ugra’ or fiery avatar.
In the garbhagṛha, Mohinī holds the severed head of Rāhu, with a tiger feasting on the dripping blood. She also holds Triśūla and Khaḍga, and a bowl to reserve the blood. Visitors find it immensely curious how this form of Mohinī has an uncanny resemblance to Devī Durgā.

Haravale Caves, Rudreshwar Temple and Haravalem waterfalls

Carved from an enormous laterite wedge of the 6th century, this is quite an architectural marvel.
Alternatively, the Caves, having a resplendent waterfall and a temple of Lord Rudreśvara close by, are also popular as “Harvale”, a name derived from ‘Harahalli’ – meaning, the village of Śiva. The liṅga inside the caves suggests its maintenance by Śaivites at some point in history.
Śrī Rudreśvar Mandir is located just beside the famous Arvalem Waterfalls. Although the temple is newly built, this is an ancient kṣetra facing the pristine Arvalem waterfalls. This temple is an important site for pitṛ karma.

Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple, Narve

Saptakoṭeśvar is one of the major Śiva temples in Konkan. This ancient temple was renovated by Shiva Ji Maharaja in 1668 AD after falling under the Portuguese demolition in 1560 AD.
This temple also houses a Kālabhairava shrine and pādukās of Guru Dattātreya carved on the stone.

Devaki Krishna Temple, Mashel

Mā Devakī holding the infant Kṛṣṇa in her arms in this temple is a peculiar depiction, hard to find elsewhere. The deities had been shifted from the original kṣetra of the temple to escape persecution at the time of Portuguese inquisition.
One of its kind, the Devakī Kṛṣṇa temple is perhaps the only place in India where Śrī Kṛṣṇa is worshipped along with his mother, Devakī. The original kṣetra of this temple was the island village of ‘Chodan’ (also known as Chorao).
Legend suggests that Devakī, after her release from Kamsa’s watch, came to Gomāñcala parvata (Goa) in search of Kṛṣṇa. Growing a maternal tenderness, she desired to breastfeed her son, and the Lord obliged, taking his infant form.

Ruins of an excavated Śiva temple, Chandor

We begin our trail from the excavated site of Chandor. The old town in Chandor has preserved some ruins of old fortification wall, a small battlefield and a number of small sculptural heritage in the vicinity. This site was excavated by the Archaeological Survey Of India. It is located in the Kottan area, which emerges from the Saṃskṛta word Kot, i.e fortified area.
Father Henry Herras, on his exploration in the year 1929, highlighted the importance of this site, and excavation revealed the ruins of an 11th-century temple dedicated to Śiva. Parts of these ruins are now exposed for the visitors to experience. These are protected by fencing and have a well and a broken Nandi on display.
Next, to this temple stands a chapel from which begins the ‘Musal Khell’ a traditional folk dance that has been a custom since Kadamba times. Today, it is performed on the next day of the Carnival. The Kṣatriya Christians of the town, who were Kṣatriya Hindus before conversion from the Portuguese, perform this folk dance. Today, the Fernandes family plays a significant role in preserving this tradition.

Visit a catholic house (Roman Catholic Kshatriya)

Sarah Fernandes Heritage Home-Cum-Museum: This family was one of the elite Hindu families of Chandor before the emergence of Portuguese. Later they were converted to Christianity and given the title of Fernandes. Their mansion has architectural elements of Goan Hindu and Catholic Architecture; and provides an experience of the elite houses in Goa, including palanquins, ballroom furniture, cupboards, showpiece collection, and also a secret tunnel.

Chieftain’s memorial, Cuncolim

15 July 1583: The day that marked the first resistance of Goans against the Portuguese, when the 15 brave leaders of the village killed the Portuguese priests who were planning to spread the inquisition to Cuncolim. This was one of the landmark events where people from Goa stood for their identity and their land, the first resistance against the colonial rule of Portuguese and their brutal ways of spreading religion. Visiting this memorial at Cuncolim will help us understand the overall history of resistance for Sanātana Dharma in Goa.

Shantadurga Kunkalkarin Temple, Fatorpa

The temple was originally at Cuncolim, it was migrated to Fatorpa after a series of mass conversions and destruction by the Portuguese in the year 1583. Nestled at the base of a mountain range and surrounded by greenery, the temple complex of Śrī Shantadurga Kunkalikarin exudes serenity and grandeur. At the entrance stands the imposing Mahādvāra, a majestic gateway that marks the beginning of the sacred space. The temple is crowned with a striking gold-plated kalaśa atop its main dome, richly decorated with intricate designs. Within the garbhagṛha (sanctum), two mūrtis of Śrī Shantadurga are enshrined: one seated, and the other standing.
The standing form, crafted from pañcaloha (a sacred five-metal alloy), is positioned on a pedestal and holds a triśūla (trident), sudarśana cakra, and bāṇa (arrow), symbolizing the Goddess’s divine power and protection.

Shri Lakshinarasimha Temple, Veling

Located deep inside regional coconut groves, and having a vast puṣkariṇī within the complex, the Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa temple in Veling is dedicated to Narasiṃhā. The half-man, half-lion form of Śrī Viṣnu, along with his consort Śrī Lakṣmī, is another old seat of the Sārasvata people in Goa.

Mangesh Devasthan, Mangeshi

The Śrī Mangeśa Temple in Goa is the centre of development for the Gauḍa Sārasvata Brāhmaṇa community. The Mangeśa linga is said to have been consecrated by Lord Brahmā on the mountain of Mangireesh, from where it flowed to Madgaon.
During the rule of the Portuguese, the temple of Mangeśa fell into the hands of the invaders. Fearing desecration, the Brāhmaṇas migrated the sacred linga to Priol, where Śrī Mangeśa Temple today stands.

Tambdi Surla Temple

The only ancient temple left in Goa that was not destroyed by the invaders, the Śiva temple of Tambdi Surla, lies at the foot of the Western Ghat mountains near the source of the Mandovi river.
An excellent example of Kadamba-Yādava architectural style, this temple carved from grey-black soapstone not only miraculously remained immune from attacks of the iconoclastic Portuguese reign, but also remained immune to harsh weathering through the ages.

Maruti Temple

The Maruti Temple is situated on top of the Altinho hill and enshrines Hanumān as the presiding deity. One of the most beautiful temples in Goa, the vigraha of Hanumān can be viewed from the streets.
The temple is lit up every night make it look beautiful from a hill. This temple is also famous for the annual jātrā which has been held from the year 1944.

Archaeological Museum

Bearing testimony to Goa’s bloody history, the Archaeological Museum of Old Goa houses various vigrahas of Hindu gods and goddesses rescued from excavations at regions where most of the “refugee Hindu temples” were originally located.

information

FAQs

Participants should have innate śraddhā (reverence) in the Hindu tradition and be open and willing to experience it. The trust in the Guru Śiṣya Paramparā is of utmost importance to undertake this yātrā. Also, as this is an in-person retreat, prepare in advance to be physically present and capable at the venue. Participants should be medically fit to endure physical exertion.

In our culture, there is no age restriction as to when one can embark on a tīrtha yātrā. However, from our experience of such yātrās, we have learnt that the below guidelines have been helpful:

  1. Participants must be between 18 and 60 years of age.
  2. Participants below the age of 18 must either be accompanied by a parent/guardian or submit a letter of parental consent.
  3. Participants above the age of 60 must be in good health that allows them to participate in the itinerary joyfully. Please also ensure all regular medicines/aids are also packed.
This is not a regular tour programme and our focus is always on the darshan, understanding the history, rituals, lore and traditions of the temples. Hence, daily travel can span anywhere between 8-10 hours with brief recesses. It’s also important to remember that the itinerary is subject to changes based on local contexts such as weather, pilgrimage crowds/queues, temple festivals, rituals, schedules etc.
We ensure clean and comfortable hotel stay with basic amenities. The room will be on a twin-sharing basis. Special requests for single rooms will be charged on twin room tariffs, payable additionally (not included in tour fees) and on an availability and first-come-first-serve basis.

Cost varies between chapters and includes:

  1. Food – We will provide three meals per day i.e., breakfast, lunch and dinner. We will explore local flavours and delicacies. We will also get the opportunity to have food in temples and Anna Kṣetra. Excluded from the trip cost are additional snacks, special dietary requirements, and personal or special medicines.
  2. Accommodation – We ensure clean and comfortable hotel stay with basic amenities. The room will be on a twin-sharing basis. Special requests for single rooms will be charged on twin room tariffs, payable additionally (not included in Tour fees) and on an availability and first-come-first-serve basis..
  3. Local Travel – The trip cost covers cultural experiences of all places in the itinerary. Not covered are any shopping or other individual outings/expenses.
  4. On select tours, interaction with scholars and authors also.
All the tour related expenses are already covered in the travel cost. However, personal expenses during the trip such as local snacks, shopping, souvenirs, etc should be kept in mind. Also, participants will bear expenses in case of evacuation due to medical emergencies or natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, etc. towards travel, boarding, lodging, and medical costs.
In case you are not able to join the yātrā due to any avoidable or unavoidable reason(s), you should notify us at the earliest in writing. Our Refund Policy: Cancellations made 45 days or more before departure – 90% of programme fees. Cancellations made 35 to 44 days before departure – 80% of programme fees. Cancellations made 22 to 34 days before departure – 50% of programme fees. Cancellations made 21 days or less before departure – No refund.
Click on the ‘Register Now’ button on the webpage. Proceed to the ‘KYC (Know Your Customer) Submission’ form page and fill the required details, upload the documents requested and submit. We will process your submission and verify documentation within 4 working days of your submission. After 4 working days, you can expect a confirmation email (will be sent to the email id with which you registered) which will have: Payment details, and Enrollment Completion Form. Make payment using the payment details AND email the signed enrollment completion form to (anveshi@brhat.in) in order to secure your admission into the program. We will send you an acknowledgement email confirming both – receipt of payment and enrollment completion form scanned copy. After this step, you can proceed to book tickets and plan your travel/logistics to reach meeting point on Day 0. In any of the above steps, if you have questions, please do contact us over email or phone. A WhatsApp group will be formed closer to program dates for planning and coordination.
We will be there to assist you at each stage of the process and you can reach out to us at anveshi@brhat.in for any query. In the meanwhile, you can try to avoid the following mistakes to make the registration process easier: Incomplete and incorrect information: Name, Email id, Phone Number etc. Uploading unclear photo or ID proof or B&W photo. Do remember that filling your name, email address and phone number is just the first step showing your interest in the programme. Be sure to check email for acknowledgement of your payment and receipt of enrollment completion form. Planning your last mile to hotel on Day 0, maybe done in the whatsapp group where you can join other yatris based on time of arrival.
Please drop us an email at anveshi@brhat.in or contact us at +91 77953 62164 for further assistance.
Your health is of utmost importance to us and while we will strive to get you assistance for any emergency situations, we recommend that you take sufficient stock of your regular medications/aids for regular and or special ailments as we cannot guarantee that these would be readily available during travel.
We recommend you to take required precautions and preparation as you would during your own travel plans, while undertaking these yātrās as some chapters may have trekking, prolonged queues, walking etc. We recommend anyone with asthma and any special conditions to have a chat with us before you plan enrollment.
We intend to visit religious institutions and local communities. Prepare to dress modestly, keeping the religious sentiments and local culture in mind. Avoid sleeveless and short clothes for temple visits. Male Participants: Please carry a pair of dhotis along with you as some temples only allow men in dhotis without shirt/tees. Female Participants: Please carry traditional Bhāratīya attire like a saree or a long kurti with dupatta/stole to cover, as some temples only permit females in traditional Indian wear.
We recommend you check chapter specific weather and forecast to be well-prepared for a hassle free yatra. In case of additional questions, you can email or call us.

Exciting Note for Participants

In addition to the planned itinerary, we’ve arranged some special surprise sightseeing experiences to make your trip even more memorable! The details will be revealed on-site – so stay tuned for some extra fun along the way. The daily flow provided is an overview of how your day will unfold. Workshop topics and discussions may vary slightly based on mentor guidance and group preferences.

Register Now